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Liberty High's Sione Vaki (22) runs with the ball after making an interception in the last seconds of the fourth quarter of their football game against Pittsburg High in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Liberty High went on to win the game 24-21. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

De La Salle's Henry To'oto'o (11) runs the ball for a gain against St. Francis in the third quarter of their high school football game in Mountain View, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. De La Salle beats St. Francis 33-15. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

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Head coach Ryan Partridge of Liberty celebrates as Liberty defeated Sierra Canyon 19-17 to win the CIF State Division 1 A Championship football game at Cerritos College on Saturday, December 15, 2018 in Norwalk, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Liberty quarterback Jay Butterfield (9) looks to pass against De La Salle in the second quarter of their North Coast Section Open Division championship game at Dublin High School in Dublin, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Bishop O'Dowd's Austin Jones (20) runs with the ball against De La Salle during the first quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Pittsburg's Jalen Adams (11) tackles De La Salle's Shamar Garrett (24) while running for yardage in the first quarter of their NCS Open Division semifinal game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Tyerell Sturges-Cofer #4 of Liberty runs fir touchdown against Liberty in the first half of a CIF State Division 1 A Championship football game at Cerritos College on Saturday, December 15, 2018 in Norwalk, California. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham)

Freedom's Giles Jackson (5) reaches to catch a pass in front of Antioch's Devonyae Mcclay (3) in the fourth quarter of their game at Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. The catch would set up Freedom for the game winning touchdown by Freedom's Brett Bausola (44). Freedom defeated Antioch 14-7. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Palo Alto's Jamir Shepard (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Los Gatos in the first quarter of their high school football game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Valley Christian's Skylar Loving-Black (80) smiles in the fourth quarter of their West Catholic Athletic League game versus Serra at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

De La Salle's Gunnar Rask (67) tackles Folsom quarterback Kaiden Bennett (1) in the third quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Pittsburg quarterback Justin Boyd (13) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Junipero Serra with teammates Isaias Sierra (61) and Nicholas Martin (74) in the second quarter at Junipero Serra High School on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in San Mateo, Calif. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

Valley Christian's Isaiah McElvane (11) runs the ball against St. Francis' Evan Williams (32) and Mose Vavao (50) in the second quarter of their West Catholic Athletic League high school football game in Mountain View, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Serra's quarterback Luke Bottari throws against St. Francis during the second quarter of the regular season finale at Serra High School in San Mateo, California, on Saturday, November 2, 2018. St. Francis defeated Serra 42-7. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

Clayton Valley Charter's Makhi Gervais (21) runs 80-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of their football game against Pittsburg High in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Moreau Catholic Marinersâ€™ Fresh Ison gives the straight arm to a defender during the North Coast Section Division IV semifinal game against San Marin on Friday Nov. 30, 2018 in Hayward.. (Photo by Doug Oakley)

De La Salle's Grant Daley (26) reaches back to catch a pass and runs in for a touchdown against Liberty in the second quarter of their North Coast Section Open Division championship game at Dublin High School in Dublin, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Freedom High's Mekel Ealy (4) catches a pass for a first down next to Bishop O'Dowd's Kenyan Branscomb Jr. (21) in the second quarter of their football game in Oakley, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Bishop O'Dowd's Jelani Warren(9) steps out of the tackle attempt from Marin Catholic's Andrew Olson (20) to score the eventual game winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Marin Catholic played Bishop O'Dowd for the NCS Championship at Hayward High School in Hayward Calif. on Dec. 8, 2018. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to Marin Independent Journal)

El Cerrito High's Franklin Banks (65) fights off the block of Salesian High's Xavier Matthews (71) in their Tri-County Athletic League high school football game at Salesian College Preparatory High School in Richmond, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group)

Clayton Valley Charter's Jason Cannedy (52) tries to block Pittsburg High's Jacob Bandes (55) in the second quarter of their football game in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Branham High running back Cameron Rynhard (5) hugs Branham High sophomore Frank Poso (70) after Poso opened a big hole on the game clinching touchdown. Branham defeated Willow Glen 41-35 at Willow Glen High School in San Jose, CA. (Courtesy of Pietro Brezzo)

De La Salle's Michael Puckett (52) gestures to the audience after a sack against Folsom in the third quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Palo Alto's quarterback Jackson Chryst throws against Menlo-Atherton during the first quarter of the Central Coast Section Open Division I semifinal at Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Menlo-Atherton defeated Palo Alto 17-7. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

Wilcox's Gabe Herrera (33) scores a touchdown ahead of Kaiser's Joseph Glenn (4) in the second quarter of the CIF Division 3-A state championship game in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

McClymonds' Jarmar Julien (4) runs for yardage while being tackled by Garfield's Bruce Gonzalez (11) in the second quarter of the CIF Division 4-A state championship football game at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Las Lomas' Isaiah Newell (5) scores a touchdown past Benicia's Janari Boone (8) in the second quarter of their game at Benicia High School in Benicia, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Antioch's Gaudie Campbell (11) runs with the ball after a reception and is tackled by Freedom's Daniel Roanhorse (20) in the first quarter of their game at Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Bishop O'Dowd's Sterling Stokes (84) drives past Acalanes' Acalanes' Trenton Tso (14) as he scores a touchdown in the third quarter of a North Coast Section Division 3 quarterfinal at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakley, Calif. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Wilcox's Aronn Abinsay (66) forces Milpitas' TyRee Bracy to fumble in the second quarter at Milpitas High School on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Milpitas, Calif. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

Monte Vista High's David Hayward (58) tries to tackle San Ramon Valley High's Tristan Sinclair (6) runs past in the second quarter of their football game in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Monte Vista High's Matthew Hoffman (13) kicks a field goal in the first quarter of their football game against Bishop O'Dowd in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Henry To’oto’o, De La Salle, 6-2, 205, senior

Rated the fifth-best college prospect in the state among the senior class, according to 247Sports. Has 19 offers, including Alabama, Washington, Oregon, Cal and Tennessee. Was a destructive force from his inside linebacker position and a hard-nosed runner in DLS’s vaunted veer attack. Named the MVP of the EBAL’s Mountain Division. Led the Spartans to the Open Division state title game. Broke his foot at practice the day before the state final but still played on defense in a 35-21 loss to Mater Dei. Full story here.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sione Vaki, Liberty, 6-0, 190, senior

Bay Valley Athletic League most valuable player. Caught 70 passes for 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns to help Liberty finish 13-1 and win the Division I-A state championship. Also was superb on defense, finishing with four interceptions and 85 tackles. Had a huge fourth-down tackle late in the fourth quarter of the state final as Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth was threatening to score. Liberty held on 19-17. Has offers from several schools, including Utah, USC, Washington State and Tennessee. Full story here.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ryan Partridge, Liberty

In two seasons at Liberty, Ryan Partridge has taken the Lions into uncharted territory. Last year, he led the school, which first opened its doors in 1902, to an 11-2 record and its first North Coast Section football championship. This season, Liberty didn’t win a section crown, losing to De La Salle in the Open Division final, but conquered everything else. Liberty won its first outright league title in 53 years and claimed regional and state championships to conclude a 13-1 season. Partridge had tough competition for Bay Area News Group coach of the year, but the Liberty coach is the news organization’s choice.

FIRST TEAM

Quarterback: Jay Butterfield, Liberty, 6-6, 180, junior

Four-star recruit — who has offers from 14 universities, including Michigan and Tennessee — passed for 3,293 yards and 43 touchdowns for the Division I-A state champions. The BVAL co-offensive player of the year threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns in Liberty’s 33-21 victory over Valley Christian in the CIF Division 1-A regional title game.

Running back: Shamar Garrett, De La Salle, 5-7, 170, junior

First-team all-EBAL Mountain Division running back. Stood out for the NCS Open Division champs on both sides of the ball, rushing for 1,196 yards and 10 TDs and also impacting games from the free safety position.

Running back: Austin Jones, Bishop O’Dowd, 5-11, 190, senior

Stanford signee and offensive player of the year in the West Alameda County Conference Foothill League. Led the Dragons to the NCS Division II championship, rushing for 2,005 yards and 24 touchdowns in 219 carries. Finished career with 6,902 rushing yards.

Running back: Tyerell Sturges-Cofer, Liberty, 6-0, 195, senior

Rushed for 188 yards and all three of the Lions’ touchdowns in a 19-17 win over Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth in the Division 1-A state championship game. Finished the season with 1,531 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing. Had 284 yards on the ground and four touchdowns against Freedom during the regular season.

Receiver: Troy Franklin, Menlo-Atherton, 6-2, 180, sophomore

No. 1 recruit in the state for the class of 2021, according to 247Sports. Showed signs of what’s to come in the postseason. First-team all-PAL Bay Division selection scored two TDs in the CCS Open Division I final — including the winner on a 17-yard run — and found the end zone three more times in the NorCal Division 3-AA final, including the winner on a 70-yard run. Also caught a 50-yard touchdown in the 3-AA state final.
Freedom’s Giles Jackson breaks a tackle against San Ramon Valley High in the fourth quarter of their North Coast Section Division I championship game at Heritage High in Brentwood, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. SRV won 28-21. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Receiver: Giles Jackson, Freedom, 5-8, 185, senior

Four-star prospect signed with Michigan last week. Co-offensive player of the year in the Bay Valley Athletic League. Caught 57 passes for 1,088 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season. Helped lead the Falcons to the NCS Division I final.

Receiver: Jamir Shepard, Palo Alto, 6-2, 190, junior

Named most outstanding junior in the SCVAL De Anza Division. Caught 48 passes for 1,074 yards and 19 touchdowns in the regular season. Vikings went on to reach the semifinals of the CCS Open Division I playoffs, finishing the year 10-2.

Tight end: Skylar Loving-Black, Valley Christian, 6-3, 220, senior

On a run-heavy team, the three-star recruit only had 13 catches for 205 yards — but he made them count with seven TDs, including one in the 31-30 double-overtime victory over St. Francis for the CCS Open Division II title. First-team all-WCAL selection. Signed with Iowa State.

Offensive line: Zack Gieg, Valley Christian, 6-1, 285, senior

West Catholic Athletic League offensive lineman of the year was an anchor in the trenches for the CCS Open Division II champs, who rushed for 48 touchdowns and nearly 3,800 yards.

First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division selection. Two-star recruit has offers from Air Force and Davidson, according to 247Sports.

Offensive line: Isaias Sierra, Pittsburg, 6-1, 285, senior

Unanimous first-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League selection, paving the way for an running attack that averaged 6.2 yards per carry and passed for 1,529 yards.

Offensive line: Mose Vavao, St. Francis, 6-3, 310, junior

Only a junior, Vavao still has room to grow, which is a scary thought given his size. A first-team all-WCAL selection, he helped lead the Lancers to a league championship and regional playoff berth.

Kicker: Ronan Donnelly, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-1, 175, junior

PAL Bay Division special teams player of the year connected on 12 of 17 field-goal attempts, with three beyond 40 yards, including a season-long of 47. Seventy percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks and he even tossed a 7-yard TD on a scramble play in the CCS Open Division III final.

SECOND TEAM

Quarterback: Luke Bottari, Serra, 5-11, 175, senior

West Catholic Athletic League quarterback of the year passed for 1,898 yards and 18 TDs. For career, threw for 5,789 yards and 57 TDs. Rushed for 14 more TDs in his three years on varsity. Won a state title in 2017.

Most valuable offensive player in the Diablo Athletic League’s Foothill Division. Gained 1,499 yards and scored 18 TDs, including six in one game against Northgate. Helped CVC qualify for NCS Open Division playoffs.

Running back: Jaylen “Fresh” Ison, Moreau Catholic, 6-0, 205, junior

Offensive player of the year in the Mission Valley Athletic League. Finished the season with more than 2,000 yards on the ground for the NCS Division IV runner-up, including 408 yards (school’s stats) and four touchdowns in a semifinal win over San Marin.

Running back: Bralyn Lux, The King’s Academy, 5-9, 170, senior

Rushed for 1,811 yards, 24 TDs. Had 3,101 all-purpose yards. Saved best for last with 686 rushing yards and nine TDs in three playoff games as TKA won CCS Division V title. Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division offensive player of the year.
De La Salle’s Grant Daley (26) runs with the ball past Folsom’s Davion Blackwell (9) in the third quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

First-team all-Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division selection opened holes for a running attack that averaged 7.9 yards per carry and finished the season with 3,502 yards and 45 touchdowns.

Offensive line: Frank Poso, Branham, 6-5, 320, junior

Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division most outstanding offensive lineman. The three-star recruit in the class of 2020 is drawing interest from a number of Pac-12 schools.

Offensive line: Michael Puckett, De La Salle, 6-1, 240, senior

First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division selection and Blue Grey All-American. Powerful two-way player. Created running lanes from the center position and fought off blocks as a defensive lineman. Helped lead DLS to its 27th consecutive section championship.

Offensive line: Payton Zdroik, Liberty, 6-1, 255, junior

A force on both sides of the ball. Helped lead Liberty to its first state championship. Unanimous all-Bay Valley Athletic League first-team pick on the offensive line. Also received first-team all-league honors on the defensive line. Had six tackles and a sack in the Division I-A state final.

Kicker: Anthony Waller, Menlo-Atherton, 5-11, senior

On a state championship team, he converted 93 percent of extra-point tries and booted 45- and 47-yard field goals in first two rounds of CCS Open Division I playoffs.

THIRD TEAM

Quarterback: Jackson Chryst, Palo Alto, 6-2, 205, senior

SCVAL De Anza Division’s most valuable offensive player led turnaround in Vikings’ fortunes as the team improved to 10-2 after 3-8 mark last year. Threw for 2,727 yards and 34 TDs.

Running back: Gabe Herrera, Wilcox, 5-7, 175, senior

Ran for a career-high 240 yards and four touchdowns in 24 carries as the Chargers beat Kaiser-Fontana 41-27 in the Division 3-A state championship game. Finished with 1,561 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Named most outstanding senior of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division.

Running back: Jarmar Julien, McClymonds, 5-11, 226, senior

First-team all-Oakland Athletic League player helped lead McClymonds to a third consecutive state championship. Rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-6 victory over Garfield-Los Angeles in the Division 4-A state final. Also had touchdown runs of 10, 30, 19 yards in regional win over Aptos.
Las Lomas’ Isaiah Newell (5) scores a touchdown past Benicia’s Janari Boone (8) in the second quarter of their game at Benicia High School in Benicia, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Running back: Isaiah Newell, Las Lomas, 6-2, 215, junior

Most valuable offensive player in the Diablo Athletic League’s Valley Division. Rushed for 2,166 yards and 31 TDs. Averaged 10.1 yards per carry. Caught 19 passes for 337 yards and one score.

Big-play threat averaged 20.5 yards per catch for the Panthers on 36 receptions, including nine touchdowns. Had nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown in a 35-34 win over Clayton Valley Charter.

Receiver: Blake Thorpe, Las Lomas, 6-3, 220, senior

Competitive UC Davis commit is a first-team all-Diablo Valley Athletic League Valley Division selection. He helped lead the Knights to a 12-1 season that included a league championship.

Tight end: Sterling Stokes, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-4, 203, junior

The three-star recruit had 13 catches for 256 yards and a TD in the NCS playoffs as the Dragons claimed the Division II title.

Offensive line: Aronn Abinsay, Wilcox, 5-9, 218, senior

First-team all-SCVAL De Anza Division selection. Helped lead the Chargers to their first state championship, blocking in an option attack that finished with 4,293 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground.

Offensive line: Jake Davison, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-0, 225, senior

First-team all-PAL Bay Division selection helped spearhead a turnaround after back-to-back three-win seasons as the Gators went 11-2 and finished as the CCS Open Division III runner-up.

Offensive line: David Hayward, Monte Vista, 6-4, 235, senior

First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division selection. Helped lead the Mustangs the quarterfinals of the NCS Division I playoffs. The two-star recruit is a West Point commit.

Offensive line: Brandon Owens, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-0, 217, senior

First-team all-West Alameda County Conference Foothill League selection as an offensive lineman and linebacker. Helped open holes for 2,000-yard rusher Austin Jones as the Dragons won the North Coast Section Division II championship.

Offensive line: Tevita Tafuna, Menlo-Atherton, 6-1, 260, senior

First-team all-PAL Bay Division selection helped Bears claim outright league title and then CCS, NorCal and state championship trophies.

Kicker: Matthew Hoffman, Monte Vista, 6-3, 160, senior

First-team all-EBAL Mountain Division selection, nearly lifted the Mustangs to an upset of eventual NCS Division II champion Bishop O’Dowd with three field goals in a 17-16 loss, including a season-best of 41 yards. Had 30 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Darren Sabedra is a sports reporter and the high school sports editor, overseeing prep coverage throughout the Bay Area. He's been with the Bay Area News Group since the early 1990s and has covered many sports beats, including Stanford football and basketball, pro baseball and the NFL.

Vytas Mazeika is a sports reporter at The Daily News based out of Menlo Park. He covers athletics at every level, from high school to Stanford to the pros. He also designs the sports pages and copy edits for The Daily News print edition. Mazeika graduated from Carlmont High in 1994 and earned an English bachelor's degree from UCLA.